The Battle of Sirte did not only affect Ottoman's judgment. In fact, when Germany was talking to it, the British, their main opponent, did not fall behind. They were also trying to win over a country.
At this time in Tokyo, Japan, a cabinet meeting was being held.
At this time, Japan was under the cabinet of Okuma Shigenobu. This was the second time Okuma Shigenobu formed a cabinet. Unlike the first time he was supported by Ito Hirobumi, this time the cabinet was supported by Yamagata Aritomo. So some people said that the cabinet did not admire Yamagata Aritomo.
Breathing will accomplish nothing.
"Gentlemen, this is a new condition proposed by the British. They agree to our request for the German Philippines and Italian Borneo."
Shigenobu Okuma, the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, enlivened the atmosphere in the venue as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Great, the British finally agreed."
"Now, our army can finally occupy the rich German and Italian colonies."
There is a reason why the Japanese cabinet ministers are so informal, because it is too difficult.
Yes, it's just too difficult.
The two places are very rich. The copper, gold, and rice of the German Philippines, and the spices, rubber, and oil of Italian Borneo are all famous. These are all urgently needed by Japan.
At this time, when they heard Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma speak out about the British conditions, the ministers who had previously praised the British and French for relenting immediately changed their tune.
The one who spoke was the Tibetan Prime Minister Wakatsuki Reijiro. For the sake of Japan's economy, this Tibetan Prime Minister also worked hard for Japan's finances.
"It's too harsh. The British are talking like a lion."
But it is a pity that although Britain and France were looking forward to Japan's joining the Allied Powers, they themselves also coveted the Philippines and Italian Borneo they requested, and rejected them outright.
In order to prevent possible failure, Japan must have a strong navy. The Russo-Japanese War has fully demonstrated this. By then, as long as the Japanese navy is strong enough, even if it gets on the wrong bus, it will be punished by three cups and get off.
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Moreover, unlike the British, the colonial armies of Germany and Italy were no different from the local armies in terms of equipment and training, so they had very strong combat capabilities.
At this time, the cabinet ministers put forward different conditions one by one. Okuma Shigenobu, who also served as Foreign Minister, ordered people to write down these conditions one by one.
At this time, Jiang Muyi, who was the Secretary-General of the Cabinet, asked cautiously, "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, the British must have high requirements, right?"
As for why we agreed now, it is very simple. On the one hand, it is the need for war, and on the other hand, it is difficult to fight the German and Italian colonies in Southeast Asia.
Although the previous losses in the Battle of Sirte were recovered by moving here and there, Britain and France actually knew the quality well. And Japan, which currently has a strong navy, has become a target worthy of wooing.
"In addition, we are sending warships and troops to Europe, so should they be responsible for the supply of weapons, equipment and materials?"
If the outbreak of the war had not given Japan a sigh of relief, even the Japanese people who are civilized by tolerance would not be able to bear it. Since 1905, various domestic riots in Japan have increased day by day, with the highest number being 847 in 1912.
Okuma Shigenobu's words made Navy Minister Yashiro Rokuro overjoyed. He did not expect such a surprise. The Navy's dreamed-up Eighth Eight Fleet was finally available.
On the other hand, Japan believes that in this war in Europe, Britain has a high probability of winning. Although the Entente seems to be a bit disadvantaged now, the foundation of hundreds of years is not something that the emerging Germany, Italy and Austria can compete with. As for the Ottomans joining the alliance
Camp, Sick Man of the Near East, anyone can beat him.
"Yes, Mr. Eki. In addition to asking us to be the main force in seizing the German and Italian colonies, the British also asked us to deploy the Kongo, Hiei, Kawachi, Settsu, and Fuso to support their Mediterranean fleet. In addition,
It also requires the empire to send an army of no less than 100,000 people to cooperate with its operations."
"besides……"
Don't blame these Japanese ministers for being impatient, because Japan today is much worse than Japan in history. Under the influence of a certain butterfly, Japan's national strength is 30% less than in history, and its foreign debt is 40% higher.
And because Italy started the dreadnought craze earlier, Japan invested money earlier to follow up, so this also caused Japan to be stronger at this time than at the same time in history.
Obviously this person thought that if he could make the British relax, the asking price might not be low.
Well, although the Japanese Prime Minister relied on the army to come to power, he still has basic political abilities.
"Prime Minister, do the British offer other conditions?"
Prime Minister Okuma's words made Rikuo Oka Ichinosuke look unhappy. It was obvious that the navy had taken more, and the army would take less.
The supplies purchased from the two places alone amounted to hundreds of millions of yen every year. Therefore, after the war broke out, Japan proposed that the condition for joining the Allies was to return the Philippines and Italian Borneo to it.
"Yes, the British have promised to provide an interest-free loan of 20 million pounds and an additional 10 million pounds in financial assistance if we accept it."
"Prime Minister Lu, I have discussed this matter with Mr. Yamagata. Although we are all optimistic that the British side will win, there is also a possibility that the German side will win. In order to avoid this situation, the empire needs a powerful enough navy."
Who can mobilize an army to travel thousands of miles to fight against themselves in the Far East? The cost involved will definitely make them think twice.
"Okay, Prime Minister, our Navy will come up with this plan soon."
As for why Japan was chosen as the only Allied power, there are two reasons. On the one hand, due to the influence of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the pro-British faction in Japan was strong.
London is very wary of its East Asian allies. You must know that since the Russo-Japanese War, the British have become wary of the rise of Japan.
Before the war broke out, Germany deployed 12,000 German troops and 30,000 colonial troops in the Philippines. In Borneo, Italy also had 5,000 troops and 45,000 colonial troops.
In the probing attack by Britain and France on Borneo in December, 20,000 men defeated the 30,000 British and French colonial troops. If their navy had not been at an absolute advantage, it would still be a question whether these probing troops could be withdrawn.
On the other hand, Britain and France are currently in urgent need of additional naval forces.
At this time, the great Tibetan Prime Minister Reijiro Watsuki asked.
"There is no way I can agree to this condition."
Some people may ask, since the public sentiment in Japan is so bad, it is still expanding its military strength. Isn't it good to use it to improve people's livelihood?
I'm sorry, but you don't understand what militarism is. The worse the situation becomes, the more we need to expand our military strength. Not to mention Japan's high foreign debt. If we don't rely on quick money, how long will it take to pay it back?
In addition to finding a potential American enemy for them, they are also wary of its forces entering Southeast Asia. Even if they were at war with the Allied camp before, they must guard against the entry of Japanese forces.
"Do they still think this is the shogunate era?"
Based on this battle, Britain and France estimated that they would need at least 200,000 troops to capture the colonies of Germany and Italy.
After everyone was almost done talking, Okuma Shigenobu said, "Yatsudai Marine Minister, please come up with a plan to build ten large battleships within three years."
"In fact, we can still discuss this condition, such as the sales of Chinese products south of the Yangtze River."
Okay, now the venue is quiet, and some people even swallowed their saliva. This is more than 300 million yen, who can test its power.
Prime Minister Okuma soon started talking with the British in person with the conditions of each department. After a lot of war of words, he finally came up with an outcome that satisfied both parties.
First of all, Japan's deployment of five warships remains unchanged. It will go to Alexandria to join the Mediterranean fleet within one month after the declaration of war. As for the army, it needs to organize 200,000 troops to fight with Britain and France within half a year.
As a greater price for Japan to send troops, Britain provided 20 million pounds in economic aid and 20 million pounds in 15-year interest-free loans. (6 million pounds of which will be used as special funds for the Army to appease the Army's emotions.).
In terms of economy, the UK must not block Japan's economic activities in the Yangtze River Basin. In addition, the troops sent by Japan, except for rifles, other weapons and equipment are provided by the UK and must not be lower than the standards of the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian armies.
On February 3, 1914, Japan officially declared war on Germany, Italy and Austria, and the scale of this war became larger and larger.
I had a lot of things to do yesterday and I was very tired when I went home at night. I really didn’t finish writing. I’m sorry to keep you all waiting for so long.
